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All Eyes On Priming

In this article, we will discuss the priming of substrates proceeding the application of smoothing compounds. Unfortunately, London flooring contractors say that the knowledge in terms of priming of some in the flooring industry is doubtful. The most important aspect from where the essential information is acquired is the site work but experience of laboratory, products formulations and training programmes should not be underestimated. There are three main applications of a smoothing compound which we will discuss below. They can be described as beneficial to, essential to and not always essential to – prime.

Let’s begin with the essential – what exactly this means is that is there is no primer used the application of a smoothing compound will fail. London flooring experts point out that primer is essential for creating a physical barrier between two materials that are non-compatible. For instance, let’s imagine the application of cement on calcium gypsum screeds. If an appropriate primer is applied, it will prevent the movement of moisture and, therefore, no delamination or expansion will occur. In such cases, barrier primer is used. Other common examples of using such primer are metal decks and timber floors – with its help quality London flooring solutions are created.

The second case we are going to discuss is the application on non-porous substrates – London flooring professionals say that primers are often are referred as bonding ones. Smoothing compounds need some help to adhere. The primer efficiently acts as an adhesive and binds the cement to the substrate. London flooring specialists state that there are some substrates with adhesive residues which are able to be bonded to applying specific levellers. However, that requires the smoothing compound to have a high polymer content. Epoxy adhesives are an example where a bonding primer is needed as it will ensure the adhesion. A bonding primer is recommended when a considerable depth of leveller is being applied to a subfloor.

The last type of substrate is called absorbent floor. London flooring contractors explain that this is when moisture soaks in readily. Let`s look at cement – as long as it bonds to the substrate no priming is needed. However, is no priming is applied some problems may occur in terms of applying the leveller. Experts reveal that the biggest issue that may result in the failure of London flooring solutions is pin-holing. It is caused by air within the absorbent screed – it is moving in the leveller while it is still fluid. When the air bubble appears on the surface, the leveller doesn’t close over again as it has gelled up. In fact, this can’t be really changed by using different compounds as the fault is not in the products but in physics. Similar to that, when moisture is absorbed in the subfloor, some of the strength of the leveller may be lost. London flooring contractors say that this might be a problem if high strength coverings such as LVTs are laid. A solution to that is the application of a diluted primer.

London flooring specialists point out that subfloor that is dusty may be an issue to the leveller. The main role of the priming is that it removes dust – even if it not essential, priming is definitely beneficial.